Mequon Nature Preserve (MNP) will host a series of free, monthly, adult learning workshops at MNP’s PieperPower Education Center, 8200 W. County Line Road, Mequon, WI 53097. These programs will be sponsored by First Bank Financial Centre and will feature specialists presenting on a variety of issues relating to our backyards.

One goal of the events is to educate metro-area residents on the overall health of their properties and how this impacts the local environment and water quality. Another is to create conversation with homeowners on sustainability and green standards. Third, programs promote the Mequon Nature Preserve as a resource to home and landowners. MNP has information on invasive species removal, which native species to plant, and how to create a bio-diverse habitat.

Mequon Nature Preserve is grateful to First Bank Financial Centre for sponsoring the education series. First Bank Financial Centre is deeply committed to causes that improve quality of life in the communities they serve. As a community bank, they believe in volunteerism, supporting community, and relationship building. Although the bank has only been in Ozaukee County for a year, First Bank Financial Centre has a 154-year history beginning in Oconomowoc in 1859. Their vision is to partner with each of the communities they serve, which now includes southern Ozaukee County. Look for their branches in Mequon and Grafton.

The series includes a variety of topics relating to our environment. On Thursday, May 2 at 4:30 p.m., join Mike Hottinger of Flat Tire Flowerpots for a hands-on, family-friendly workshop. Mike will explain how to make a flowerpot from recycled tires. Plant MNP’s prairie seeds in the completed pot and they will bloom in time for Mother’s Day! Materials will be available at MNP for $5.

On June 5, we will talk honeybees. While we don’t know the exact cause of their decline, we will discuss a number of simple things each of us can do to protect these important pollinators. Later in the summer, MNP will feature a composting series followed by a buckthorn eradication workshop.

All programs are free and open to the public. For information or to register, email center@mequonnaturepreserve.org, call 262-242-8055 ext 101 or visit MNP’s Facebook site (facebook.com/MequonNaturePreserve).

Mequon Nature Preserve (MNP) is 438 acres of woodlands, prairies, wetlands and open fields. Visitors come from throughout the region to engage in environmental science programs and nature-based recreation activities such as hiking, bird watching and cross country skiing. Its primary building is the Pieper Power Education Center, a multi-use classroom and conference facility renovated to sustainable standards. In addition to housing MNP offices and programs, the building demonstrates sustainable technologies, materials and practices.

MNP’s mission is to be a guiding example of restoration by returning an urban/suburban area to pre-European settlement conditions and to establish an environmental education conservancy and natural habitat that inspires exploration and cultivates stewardship, encouraging visitors to get off the path.

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